classic Archives

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

The best PC games of 2026 (that don’t need a graphics card)

Mina the Hollower is an indie game from the studio behind Shovel Knight, inspired by classic top-down Zelda adventures, featuring a mouse hero and RPG-like customization. Mewgenics, developed by Edmund McMillen, involves breeding cats and genetic manipulation in a tactical turn-based format. Typing Break combines typing skills with gameplay reminiscent of Space Invaders and Breakout. Dosa Divas features two sisters using a mech food truck to combat the fast-food industry, blending RPG mechanics with culinary creativity. Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator offers a satirical take on trading mechanics from the perspective of an alien day trader. Cardburners is a fast-paced card game with multiple modes for solo or online multiplayer. Cassette Boy features puzzle mechanics with an environment that players can rotate. Beatdown City Survivors combines bullet heaven elements with direct combat mechanics. Forbidden Solitaire adds horror elements to the classic card game format with roguelike mechanics. Replaced features a noir-inspired cyberpunk narrative with 3D environments and pixel art. You Have Billions Invested in Generative AI is a free-to-play indie game that satirizes technology investment.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft engineer, has developed TinyRetroPad, a Notepad-like application that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. TinyRetroPad includes features such as Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and an unsaved changes prompt. It is built on existing Windows components, allowing it to function efficiently without extensive resources. TinyRetroPad is based on Dave’s Tiny Editor and utilizes RICHEDIT50W for text handling. The application's file size increased incrementally with each feature added, with the final size being 2,476 bytes. Crinkler, a compression linker, was used to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad is still in development, facing issues like high memory consumption and compatibility problems. In contrast, Windows 11's Notepad has become larger and more complex, weighing approximately 352KB and incorporating features that some users find unnecessary. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad without modern features, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential for simplicity in application design.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, is recreating Notepad in 2.5 kilobytes with a project called TinyRetroPad, which includes features like Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and unsaved changes prompt. TinyRetroPad leverages existing Windows infrastructure, utilizing built-in resources to function efficiently. It is based on Matt Power’s Dave’s Tiny Editor and operates as a wrapper around RICHEDIT50W. The size of TinyRetroPad increased with each feature added, reaching 2,476 bytes with printing. The project uses Crinkler, a compression linker, to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad currently lacks a dedicated Releases page and may trigger false positives from antivirus software. Users have reported issues such as excessive memory usage and compatibility problems with older Windows versions. In contrast, the modern Notepad in Windows 11 has grown to approximately 352KB, with a total disk footprint nearing 5MB, leading to user backlash over its complexity. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential of leveraging existing OS capabilities rather than adding unnecessary features.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

GOG Makes Classic PC Game for Free

GOG is offering the 2004 game Nexus: The Jupiter Incident for free for a limited time of two days and 17 hours. After this promotional period, it will return to its standard price. If claimed during the promotion, it will remain permanently in the user's GOG library as a DRM-free copy. The game was developed by Mithis Entertainment and published by HD Interactive, and it has a Metacritic score of 77, a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating on GOG, and an 86% approval rating on Steam. The intellectual property is currently held by THQ Nordic.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Massive lineup of Android game and app deals live for July 4th

A variety of Android games and apps are on sale for the 4th of July, including Streets of Rage 4, Boxville 2, Nerd Survivors, Kero Blaster, Muse Dash, Defenchick: Tower Defense, A Monster’s Expedition, and DREDGE. LG OLED TVs, specifically models C6 and G6, are discounted significantly, and shoppers can receive a complimentary gift card with their purchase. The new Google Home Speaker is offered at 50% off, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra has discounts of up to 0.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Humble Choice June 2026: Last chance to grab this huge selection of PC games

You have until July 7th to claim the June Humble Choice bundle, which includes the following titles: - Octopath Traveler 2 (Steam) - The Riftbreaker (Steam) - Life is Strange: Double Exposure (Steam) - INDIKA (Steam) - Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Steam) - Construction Simulator (Steam) - Hell Clock (Steam) - Overlooting (Steam) The subscription costs £11.49/.99. Notable ratings include Citizen Sleeper 2 with a five-star rating, INDIKA with a 4/5 star rating, and Life is Strange: Double Exposure receiving three stars. Humble Choice members receive up to 20% off in the Humble store, and 5% of each membership goes to charity, with It Gets Better being the chosen charity for June.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

The Biggest Upcoming July 2026 PC Games and How They May Perform On Steam Deck

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release in November. Moonlight Peaks, a farming simulator with a vampire theme, runs at 90 FPS on the Steam Deck with minimal battery drain. An open-world gacha game performs above 30 FPS at default settings on the Steam Deck. The expansion for Granblue Fantasy: Relink is playable on the Steam Deck, though some action sequences may cause minor frame drops. A remake of a classic Assassin’s Creed installment is optimized for the Steam Deck and has received Verified status, with expected frame rates around 30 FPS during intense moments. A highly ambitious game demo showed significant performance issues, dropping below 30 FPS at the lowest settings. A cozy post office simulator runs at 60 FPS with low battery consumption but lacks controller support. A casual puzzle game from Annapurna Interactive is expected to perform well on the Steam Deck. A co-op exploration game with Lovecraftian elements achieves 30 FPS or higher on low settings, though some areas may experience frame drops. A bus-skating game maintains a steady 60 FPS during testing, despite some battery drain fluctuations.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Free PC Game Is A Must-Play For P.T Fans, But Only Available For A Limited Time

A new indie horror game titled Nightbell, inspired by the cancelled Konami project P.T., is available for free on Itch.io until July 12, 2026. The game, typically priced at £3.39 and currently discounted to £1.69 until July 9, 2026, follows a young boy on Christmas Eve who encounters a creature resembling his missing mother. Nightbell has received a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam based on 66 reviews, with players appreciating its unique horror elements and gameplay.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Turn Your Android Smartphone Into A GameCube With This App

MrRubrik has developed a GameCube Launcher app for Android devices that allows users to transform their phone's interface to resemble the GameCube console. The app features a GameCube-inspired user interface, instant game launching via the Dolphin emulator, automatic detection of game covers, local game library management, and retro sound effects. It is designed to provide a nostalgic experience while incorporating modern functionality and is available for free on MrRubrik's website and the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: DREDGE, Bendy Lone Wolf, Ninja Hero Cats, more

A selection of Android games and apps are currently on sale, including DREDGE, Bendy: Lone Wolf, Zero Stress King: Idle Defense, Farm Invasion USA – Premium, Ninja Hero Cats Premium, Guns’n’Glory Premium, and Little Berry Forest 2: Stars. There are significant discounts on Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra models, with savings of up to 6 for open-box units. The LG 4th of July sale features the 2026 C6 and G6 OLED TVs at discounts reaching 0, and Acer’s Swift Go 2K touchscreen PC is also discounted. Additional Android apps are seeing price reductions, including new releases and classic favorites, along with exclusive discounts on in-app purchases.